Flight attendant’s ‘biggest hacks ever’ to avoid being hit with extra luggage fees | Travel News | Travel

We’ve all experienced the pre-flight luggage panic, frantically ensuring our bags meet the airline’s weight and size restrictions to avoid unexpected charges at the airport. While some airlines offer generous free hand luggage allowances, others are stricter, potentially catching you out if your bag’s strap or wheels make it too large for the baggage sizer.

However, flight attendants, who spend most of their time globetrotting, are experts at overcoming baggage restrictions and keeping suitcases organised. We’ve collated some of our top packing hacks to help you organise your luggage like a pro.

Flight attendant’s ‘biggest hack ever’ to save luggage space

Kat Nesbitt is a flight attendant who works for a major US airline and frequently shares her top travel tips to her YouTube channel. Packing cubes act as a portable wardrobe organiser, with between two and four separate compartments for clothes. Some types also feature a zip compartment at the bottom for items such as shoes or toiletries.

After packing your belongings into the clothes organiser, it can be compressed using two convenient straps. Once tightened, this can then be placed into your luggage, leaving room for additional items.

Kat explained how she uses this in her hand luggage when travelling for work – allowing her to pack for four days.

In a revelation that’s set to revolutionise the way holidaymakers pack, Kat’s product review was brimming with excitement as she insisted: « This is actually going to be one of the best hacks to help me pack and you are all going to thank me later. As long as your suitcase is at least 20 inches, this is going to work for you. »

Fit ’12 to 14 days of clothes’ in a carry-on bag

Flight fanatics and avid voyagers alike, brace yourselves for the ultimate space-saving trick that could see you fitting ’12 to 14 days of clothes’ in nothing more than a carry-on bag.

One anonymous traveller’s post on a Reddit forum, under the pseudonym Phxflyer, has has shared advice from a cabin crew member.

Phxflyer recounts how rolling clothing can miraculously compress what seems like an impossible amount of attire into a manageable bundle. The Reddit user vowed: « Definitely roll your clothes, » elaborating on this compact miracle by adding: « I can get between 12 to 14 days’ worth of clothes in a carry-on rolling bag if I roll, slightly less in the winter. A flight attendant told me about it and I’ve been doing it for a while now. »

Travel + Leisure mavens elucidate further, advocating for a technique known ominously as « Ranger Rolling ». This tactic reportedly ousts pesky air pockets nestled within folds, meaning more space in your suitcase.

The experts advise: « To properly roll your clothes, lay the item of clothing out flat, » they explained. « Then fold the bottom two inches of the item inside out so it creates a type of pocket along one side of the clothing.

« From the opposite end, roll the item tightly until you get to the pocket you’ve created. Fold one side of the pocket over the roll, securing it tightly. »

Heading to the beach?

This hack can save towel weight and space. Packing for a beach holiday often requires a bulky towel, which can take up a lot of space in your suitcase and might even put you over the weight limit.

The solution lies in microfibre towels, which have a similar texture to regular towels and can dry you off after a swim, but are much lighter and less bulky.

Protect your clothes while travelling with this 6p item

Arriving at your destination only to find that your clothes have been stained during transit can be frustrating. However, former flight attendant Kat Kamalani suggests an unconventional hack to keep your garments stain-free without breaking the bank.

In a ‘luggage packing masterclass’ on TikTok, flight attendant Kat divulged her top travel hack: « The first items you want to start with are bulk items like shoes. But, before you put your shoes in there…grab these disposable hairnets, wrap them around so that you are not getting the dirt and grime from your shoes on your clothes. »

Though it may seem unconventional, utilising hairnets when packing can protect your garments from the muck of your footwear, invaluable if you favour light-coloured attire.

Choose opaque or paper hairnets for best results when tackling this packing conundrum.

Experts insist on the correct usage of bag tags for securing luggage

Despite impeccable packing, luggage mishaps happen, with Claim Compass reporting a staggering 28million bags mishandled annually, underpinning the need for safeguarding your possessions while travelling.

Tags with personal details such as your name, address, phone number, and email, can be attached to your baggage to ensure identification.

However, Ally, a seasoned flight attendant, reveals a common blunder via TikTok: « Always make sure that your luggage tag has the contact information facing the other side. »

She advises, « I see so many people with luggage tags and their information displayed for everyone to see. Their name, their address, their phone number, their email. That is way too much information for just anyone to have. »

She continued, emphasizing the importance of discretion: « So instead, just flip the contact information to the other side. In the event that your bag is lost or stolen, whoever finds your bag is going to take out the piece of paper and flip it over to the other side to get your contact information. »

She added: « It’s great to have a luggage tag just not to have all of your information displayed for anyone to see at all times. I ride the train a lot and there are a lot of crazies on the train, I don’t need my information just there for everyone to see. »

When it comes to avoiding extra baggage fees, travellers should not overlook the significance of selecting the correct bag size, especially considering different airlines have varied requirements for hand luggage.

In relation to this, one specific bag has received online accolades for its adaptability, being dubbed as the perfect companion for Jet2, easyJet and TUI flyers.

Further explaining in a remark, she stated: « All the airlines mentioned allow around 55cm for economy tickets and this is 45cm, so it’s for hand luggage. »

However, the Cabin Max suitcase might be a no-go for Ryanair flights.

Due to its size, it could also pose problems with other airlines. Be smart, check your carrier’s baggage rules before you zoom off.

If you’ve got your eye on the nifty Cabin Max carry-on, double-check those dimensions.

You’ll want the one that measures up at 45 x 36 x 30 centimetres.

Neck pillow hack

For an ingenious way to bolster your baggage allowance – try the neck pillow hack.

One TikTok maestro has shared a sly trick: swap out the typical stuffed neck cushion for a fillable version and tuck in some extra apparel.

The savvy traveller, known on TikTok as @cheapholidayexpert, tried this strategy herself and hailed it as a « game changer ».

Ziploc bags for extra space

Ziploc bags are perfect for carrying liquids through airport security in your hand luggage, but their uses don’t stop there.

Larger Ziploc bags can act as DIY vacuum packs to compress clothes and free up space in your suitcase.

If you’re off on a short trip and want to plan your outfits in advance or need to organise a holiday wardrobe for the kids, Ziploc bags are your friend. Lay out each outfit, fold it neatly, and place it into a separate Ziploc bag.

Then, sit on the bag to expel the air before sealing it, which will significantly reduce the space your clothes occupy.

To make things even easier, label each bag with its contents so you can quickly find the outfit you need.

Choose a lightweight travel bag for hassle-free journeys

If you’re noticing your suitcase is a tad on the heavy side, it might be time to consider investing in a lightweight bag. With many airlines enforcing weight restrictions for both hand and hold luggage, having a lighter bag from the get-go means you can pack more without exceeding your allowance.

Before splashing out on new luggage, however, do ensure to check the size restrictions outlined by your chosen airline.

Plan your outfits ahead of time

It may sound basic, but planning ahead is a top tip flight attendants swear by to maximise luggage space. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, cabin crew member Miguel Muñoz stressed: « It’s very important to only take the clothes you actually need ».

It’s all too easy to overpack, stuffing all your favourite items into your suitcase, only to realise you don’t need half of them. Miguel advised: « Don’t make the mistake of bringing two of each ‘just in case’. He urges travellers to « only carry the essentials », including toiletries and make-up items. « You don’t need two perfumes », he pointed out. And for those hoping to travel with just hand luggage, he reminded them to always pack « the small travel size » of any liquid toiletry items.

A simple way to plan your outfits is to lay out everything you hope to take before packing them in your suitcase. Choose clothing items that can be paired together and create a capsule wardrobe allowing you to mix and match.

Wear your heaviest clothing

If you’re grappling with luggage weight limits, or have a bulky item of clothing monopolising your carry-on space, a clever solution is to don your heaviest garment. This trick comes in handy especially when travelling with a hefty coat or a pair of weighty shoes.

You can even stuff the pockets of your coat with extra items like socks, or clothes that can be compactly folded. Just remember to empty your pockets before passing through security.